2. amps-preamps
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When is an amp ‘just too old? ’ To buy?

Hello sports fans!!

I’m seriously tossing around the idea to get into another amp (s) as I’m simply not playing mine as I should. 20 hours in the last year or so is about all. I’ve been using both my office and now BR systems far, far more as they’re handier and simpler to manage now.

Switching speaker wires, and re-checking bias from extended lengthy periods of non use causes me to not use my monos enough to keep them or so Im thinking.

Add to that my vision is apparently going away now at a faster clip than I’d prefer too …. It all adds up… so there they sit. 20 hrs. over a whole year. It’s embarrassing.

So I’m thinking SS. Or self biasing amps now as replacements, IF I decide to go that way and it’s looking more & more as I will.

I’ve always thought amps under 5 yr and preferably under 3 or less, as the ones I’d prefer to take a shot with, but am seeing more and more amps now with 5, 6, 8, 9, even 10 years from date of production and am wondering, just when is an amp (s) old enough to forget about or when one should really consider some other amps.

Do you all feel SS amps have a different criteria than do HS amps in terms of longevity?

Or is it vice versa, with tube amps lasting longer, generally speaking?

How old is just too damn old! As it relates to amps for sale… in your opinion, of course????

Thanks much.
blindjim
steveaudio
331 posts
 
One of the things I think about is weight--does an amp weigh 30, 60, or 120 lbs.? Do I have a reasonable chance of packing it up by myself & schlepping it to ship to the mfg. or take back to the dealer if it needs repair?

Also: where is the mfg? If you live on/near the East Coast, C-J, & Cary for instance, are w/in shipping distance, & so on.

But I still wouldn't hesitate to buy a 10 y.o. amp from a mfg. I knew--C-J, Classe' probably, Bryston, McCormack, Mac, etc. I bought a 12 y.o. McCormack DNA .5 from a guy once who did the Worst Packing Job in the World. When I got it, the whole outside case was "bent", curved from shipping damage. I plugged it in, afraid it would blow up, but it worked great, & sounded very nice.....

2 ideas: C-J MF2500A, not sure, maybe $1500 used? Or McCormack DNA 1.0, maybe $800 & up used, depending on the "rev"....

blindjim OP
3,092 posts
 

Hi Steveaudio

Thanks.

I began thinking of the overall weight too, long ago. Although my aim was for audio & Build quality. 150 or so lbs. is about my limit now unassisted. I've got stairs to deal with.

What makes them most unwieldy are the heat sink locations, if any. I think at 125lb. all amps should come with wheels on one end and an extended pull handle on the other. both of which are detachable. 'Course that won't help much with stairs.

I began noticeing quite early, the more pricey, better sounding standard transformerd SS amps, were heavy.

Appreciate the thoughts on localization of manufacturers too... I'm usually all over that part too.... though some times I forsake it... opting for on shore items regardless the zip code than off shore items.
steveaudio
331 posts
 
"150 or so lbs. is about my limit now unassisted"

Blindjim, This is a bit belated, but I saw this thread again & wondering what you came up with? I chuckled a bit when I saw the 150 lb. limit, as a 65 lb. amp is at my upper limit & is now the heaviest component I own, & I hate to contemplate schlepping even that. (There are plenty of giant heavy amps I'd love to own tho!).

FWIW, in my "2nd" system, in a small room, I have Spendor S3/5 SE's w/a C/J PF-1 SS pre-amp @ around 10 lbs., & a C/J MF2250 SS amp @ around maybe 20 lbs., & I love the system.

Have you considered any integrateds, SS or tube? Used Plinius, or Cary, or? Just throwin' out some ideas, good luck!
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